– Marchi, a 49-year Senate veteran and Staten Island political institution, is so popular he’s often endorsed by the Democratic Party.

– Â Padavan, who has spent 34 years in the Senate, may appear the most vulnerable (after Maltese, an 18-year senator, whom the mayor’s aides have said is in the crosshairs). But he was firmly in Bloomberg’s camp duringÂ the mayor’sÂ fight last fall with fellow Republican, Thomas Ognibene.Â

– Golden, elected in 2002, is also tight with Bloomberg, and angered both Ognibene and state Conservative Party Chairman Mike Long by endorsing the mayor’s re-election bid.

Last note: Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno’s camp is spinning thusly -Â If Bloomberg starts a “civilÂ war” between upstate, New York City and the suburbs by arguing that the city, which is doing better economically than anyone else, needs to get more state cash, that couldÂ benefit marginalÂ senators trying to holdÂ upstate and Long Island seats. Â